Type-writing machine.



PATENTED JULY 4, 1906.

J. A. SMITH.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1902 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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J. A. SMITH. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED MAY 22, 1902.

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J. A. SMITH. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1902.

3 SHBETS-SHEET 3.

cfo/ZILZI lgfllitky 8+1 -u c for NITED STATES Patented July 4, 1905.

PATENT Fries.

JOHN A. SMITH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO ELLIOTT-FISHER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DEL AWVARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 793,689, dated July 4, 1905.

Application filed May 22, 1902. Serial blu. 108,522.

To all 7,072,071 it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN A. SMITH, a citizen of the United States. residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Type-VVriting Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to type-writing machines, and more particularly to that I improve the means for shifting the type-heads and for insuring their rigid retention in proper position during the printing operation.

To this end the invention contemplates the equipment of each type-bar with a shiftable plural type-head and a shifting and locking device, both associated with the type-bar adjacent to its outer end and co(" peratively re-v vice.

lated in a manner to cause the head to be shifted and locked positively against movement to adii'ferent printing position by the shiftingde- The invention also contemplates the association, with type-bars equipped in the manner stated, of a movable trip shiftable into position to engage and operate any shifting device as the latter is moved with a type-bar and a buffer disposed to engage the shifting device for the purpose of restoring the head to its initial position as the type-bar reaches the limit of its return movement.

The invention also has within its purview certain other features of construction and arrangement, which will appear during the course of the succeeding description.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purposes of this disclosure 1 have illustrated preferable embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a type-writing machine embodying type-bars equipped with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional View on the line 2 2 of Fig.1, showing more clearly the arrangement of the trip and buffer with respect to each other and to the type-bars. Fig. 3 is a detail view,' on a somewhatenlarged scale, of a type-bar equipped with a plural type-head and a shifting device or trigger disposed in their normal positions. Fig. 4 is a similar view, partly in section, with the head and trigger in the positions assumed after the shifting of the head. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the outer end of the type-bar with a lower-case character presented to the platen and showing in dotted lines the positions assumed by the head and trigger during the printing of an upper-case character; and Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are views similar to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, but serving to illustrate another embodiment of the invention.

Like characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

While the invention is obviously applicable to all type-writing machines employing typebars, I have illustrated my improved construction in connection with what is known as the Fisher type-writer, exemplified in Patent No. 569,626, issued October 20, 1896, to R. J. Fisher.

As shown in Fig. 1, this machine includes a main frame 1, designed for movement over a flat platen and having a carriage-guide 2, supporting a traveling carriage 3. This carriage has associated therewith the key-actions indicated in part in the drawings and operatively connected with the swinging type-bars A, mounted in brackets carried by the usual supporting-ring.

At the outer or free end of each type-bar is mounted a pivoted type-head 5, provided with a pair of type 6 and 7, having their printingfaces disposed in angular relation and bearing upper and lower case characters. The type-head 5 is designed to be shifted for the purpose of presenting either an upper or a lower case character in the printing position and'is preferably disposed within a terminal bifurcation 8 of its type-bar and is mounted to swing freely upon a pintle 9. It should be noted, however, that this form of mounting for the shiftable type-head is not essential and that any other construction providing for the shiftable support of the plural head upon the type-bar would be applicable, so far as the invention in its broader aspects is concerned.

The movement of. the type-head is limited by banking-faces 10, formed on the type-head and constituting stops engaging with the edge of the type-bar to insure the accurate positioning of the head in either of its two positions In the present embodiment of the invention the type-carrying head 5 is provided with a projection 11, extending beyond its pivotal point or axis at the side opposite the type-head proper and having an angular camshaped end 12 disposed at a point behind the type-bar. This projection is cooperatively related to the hook-shaped upper end 13 of a trigger or head shifting and locking device 14, pivoted upon the type-bar, preferably adjacent to the outer end thereof, and designed to be operated in a manner to be described to effect the shifting of the type-head to present either an upper or lower case character in the printing position.

In the normal position of the type-head (shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings) the projection 11 is located within the hook-shaped end of the trigger and is in engagement with a locking-shoulder 15, formed on the trigger and extended under the projection to prevent the head from swinging, thereby serving to lock the type-head in its normal position. It will be noted that one of the banking-faces of the head is in contact with the front edge of the type-bar, which prevents movement of the head in one direction, and the locking engagement of the projection 11 with the trigger 14E prevents the head from moving in the opposite direction, so that in the normal position'of the parts the type-head is rigidly locked and is incapable of movement until the locking-shoulder 15 of the trigger is withdrawn from the path of the projection 11. If now the type-bar is swung toward the platen and the trigger is arrested, it will be seen that the locking-shoulder 15 will be moved out of engagement with the projection 11 of the typehead, leaving the latter free to swing upon its pivot under the influence of centrifugal force for the purpose of presenting the uppercase character! in the printing position normally occupied by the lower-case character 6. In accordance with the invention, however, no reliance is placed upon the centrifugal action of the type-head; but, on the contrary, it is designed to effect the positive shifting of the type-head to either of its two positions. It is for this reason that the trigger is provided with the hook-shaped end 13, the extremity of which constitutes a shifting linger 16, slightly curved longitudinally and designed to contact with the cam-shaped end 12 of the projection 11 subsequent to the withdrawal of the locking-shoulder 15 from its locking position. Therefore when the trigger is-arrested during the downward movement of the type-bar the locking-shoulder 15 is first withdrawn from under the projection 11, and the shifting-finger 16 is then brought into contact with the cam-shaped end 12 of said projection to effect the positive shifting of the type-head through the continued movement of the type-bar, the position of the parts at the limit of this shifting movement being shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The upper-case character will now be presented to the platen; but obviously some means must be provided for'restoring the type-head to its normal position.uponthetreturn of the type-bar. The invention therefore contemplates the utilization of the trigger for the shifting of the type-head to its normal position, as well as for the shifting of said head into position to present an upper-case character at the printing-point. Below the locking shoulder 15 the triggeris formed with a camface 17 disposed to engage one active face 18 of the cam-shaped end 12 of the projection 11, so that upon the arresting of the trigger during the final portion of the return movement of the type-bar the cam-face 17 will be presented to the projection 11 and will move along the active face 18 thereof to effect the positive shifting of the type-head back to its normal position, where itwill be locked in the manner heretofore described.

As already stated, the trigger 14 is supported by and carried with the type-bar and is movable with respect to said type-bar to effect the shifting and locking of the typehead. The trigger might be mounted in a pair of ears to secure this necessary relative movement; but it is preferably pivoted upon a pintle 19, passed transversely through the typebar and through a bearing-ear 20, extending laterally from the lower end of the trigger and received within a slot 21 in the type-bar 4, the end walls of said slot serving to limit the movement of the trigger upon its axis.

Along the front of the type-bar is disposed a brake-spring 22, having a deflected end 23 disposed to bear upon one or the other of a pair of oppositely-inclined faces a and 6, formed upon the edge of the bearing-ear 20, said spring having the function of a brake serving to yieldingly retain the trigger or shifting device in either of its two positions.

We have now seen in what manner the trigger leis cooperatively related to the typehead and how the relative movement of the trigger withrespect to the type-bar effects the shifting of-the head to present either an upper or a lower case character in the printing position and to normally look the head in position for the printing of the lower-case character. It therefore remains to be described in what manner the necessary relative movement is imparted to the trigger during the initial movement of the type-bar in one direction and how during the final movement of the type-bar in the opposite direction-the trigger or shifting device is moved back to its normal position. 4 tural features already pointed out the trlg'ger In addition to those struc- 14' is provided at the lower or pivoted end thereof with a rearwardly-extending cam-tail 24, with which isdesigned to cooperate a movable key-actuated trip 25,-normally located outside of the path of said cam-tail, butshiftable into the path thereof by the manipulation of what is known as the base-key 26.

WVhen the trip 25 is moved into the path of; the cam-tail. said tail will be presented thereto by the initialmovement'of the type-bar 4, and the engagement of these elements will obviously effect the momentary arrest of the trig-' 16 of which will be in engagement with the cam end 12 of the projection 11'to retain the type-head against movement during the travel of the type-bar toward the platen. The return of the triggerandtype-head to-their normal positions is effected by a fixed buffer 27, located outside of thepath of the type-bar and in rear thereof and designed during the final portion of the return movement of the typebar to contact with a resetting-arm 28, properly shaped to engage and ride upon the buffer as the normal relative positions of the parts are restored.

So far as the present invention is concerned the specific construction of the trip 25 and buffer 27 and the manner of mounting these elements are equally unimportant; but by preference, however, the movable trip 25 is in the form of a semiring and is yieidingly sustained in an inoperative or non-interfering position with reference to the cam-tails or trip-arms 24' of the triggers carried'by the several type-bars, it being understood, of course, that the trip 25 extends around the entire type-basket and is common to all of the triggers. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, this trip- 25 may be carried by a spider-frame'29, yieldingly sustained in an elevated position by a spring-supporting device 30,'which is designed to be depressed through the movement of the case-key 26 for the purpose of present ng'the trip in an interfering position with the several triggers. The character of the operative connection between the case-key and the spider-frame is immaterial; but that illustrated is simple and effective, and perhaps preferable. The buffer 27 is also in the form of a semiring and may consist of a wire rod or the like terminally connected with the carriage of themachine, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In brief the operation of the described embodiment of 'the'invention is as follows: The type-bars normally stand upright, as shown in Fig. 1, and the type-heads are locked by the triggers in position to present the lowercase characters of the heads to the platen when the type-bars are swung down through the medium of the key actions. 'The trip 25 is normally disposed in a non-interfering position and does not contact with or in any way affect the triggers as the type-bars are operated. When, however, it is desired. to print an upper-case character, the case-key 26 is depressed. This by means of the intermediate connections depresses the trip 25, and upon the actuationof thetype-bar its initial movement will present the cam-tail or trip-arm 24: of its trigger or shifting device 14L to the trip.

- Continued movement of. the type-bar will now efiect the swinging of the trigger upon its axis, withdrawing the locking-shoulder 15 from the projection 11 on the type-head and bringing the shifting-finger 16 of the trigger into engagement with the cam end 12 of said projection to swing the type-head 5 from the normal position (indicated in Fig. 3) to the upper-case position, (illustrated in Fig. 4,) thus presenting the upper-case character 7 at a point formerly occupied by the lower-case character 6. As the type-bar movesdown centrifugal force will tend to retain the type head in its shifted position; butthis tendency will be augmented by the engagement of the type-head projectionwith the shifting-finger 16, the trigger being retained, as already stated, by the engagement of the spring 22 with the inclined face I) upon the bearing-ear of the trigger, as shown in Fig. 4. Upon the release of the type-key the type-bar will swing back to its normal position, the final portion of its return movement serving to present the resetting-arm 28 to the bufier 27. As the type-bar continues to move back the trigger will be swung forward, moving the shiftingfinger 16 out of engagement with the end 12 of the type-head projection and presenting the cam-face 17 of the trigger to the active face 18 of the projection. As the type-bar continues to move back the type-head projection will move along the cam-face 17 toward the outer end of the trigger, thus shifting the type-head back to its normal position, where it will be locked by the engagement of the locking-shoulder 15 with the projection 11.

In Figs. 6, 7, and 8 I have shown another embodiment of the invention, the distinguishing feature of this construction being a modification of the cooperative connection between the type-head and trigger. Instead of providingthe trigger and head with cooperating camfaces, as in the described construction, the head 5 is provided with a rearwardly-extending projection 11, connected, by means of a link or links 31, with the trigger'la. The upper end of the trigger 14: is deflected, and the pivotal connection 32 with the link 31 is 10- cated at a sufficient distance below the extremity 33 of the trigger to cause said extremity to be presented directly under the projection 11 of the type-head to constitute a positive lock for the latter when the parts are in their normal positions, as shown in Fig. 6. This relation of the parts produces, in effect, a toggle connection between the trigger and head, and the operation is substantially like that formerly described in connection with the preferred form of the inventionthat is to say, the type-head is normally retained in the position indicated in Fig. 6 by the location of the upper extremity 33 of the trigger directly under the type-head projection 11. When, however, the trip is depressed and the type-bar moved forward, the arresting of the trigger will cause the locking end of the latter to be withdrawn from under the projection 11*, thereby releasing the type-head and permitting the latter to be shifted by reason of the link connection between the trigger and the type-head projection. In like manner the return of the typehead to its normal position is effected by the engagement of the tripping device with the buffer upon the return of the type-bar.

I have directed attention to the fact that in one position of the type-head it is positively locked against movement to another printing position until the locking device is released or tripped. the term lock or locking employed in the claims are not to be confused with a mere yielding detent which tends to hold the head against movement, nor with a stop serving merely to prevent excessive movement of the head in one direction. On the contrary, the term locked as employed in this specification should be understood as defining the positive detention of the head against movement to a printing position other than that in which the head islocked.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction and operation of the device will be clearly comprehended; but, while the illustrated embodiments of the invention are believed to constitute effective and desirable forms thereof, I do not limit myself to the structural details defined, as, on the contrary, I reserve the right to effect such changes, modifications, and variations of the illustrated structure as may be fairly comprehended within the scope of the protection prayed.

What I claim is 1. In a type-writing machine, the combination with aswinging type-bar, of a plural typehead pivoted at the outer end thereof, aheadshifting device pivoted on the type-bar at a point removed from the axis of the head, a tri pper arranged to engage the shifting device at the beginning of the printingstroke of the type-bar to shift said head from one printing position to another, and a buffer for restoring This feature of the invention and to its outer end but at a point removed from the axis of the head, said shifting device being extended rearwardly from the type-bar, a 'tripper-arranged in rear of the type-bar and disposed to engage and operate the head-shifting device during the printing stroke, and a buffer also located in rear'of the type-bar and disposed to return the head-shifting deviceto its normal position upon the return of the type-bar.

3. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a type-bar, and a type-head pivoted at the outer end thereof. of a device independently pivoted on the type-bar adjacent to its outer end and directly engaging the type-head to shift the same to either of two positions.

4. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a type-bar, and a type-head pivoted thereon, of a device independently pivoted on i the type-bar adjacent to its outer end and directly engaging with the typehead to shift the same to either of two positions, and means for limiting the movementof saiddevice.

5. In atype-writing machine, the combination with a type-bar, and a shiftable typehead, of a device carried by the type-bar to shift the type-head to either of two positions and projecting in rear of the type-bar, and separate trips arranged at all times outside of the path of the type-bar adapted to be brought alternately in contact with the rearwardly-projecting portion'of the device to cause the shifting of the type-head to one po sition and to restore saidfdevice to its normal position.

6. The combination with a type-bar, and a movable type-head, of means carried by the type-bar to positively lock the head against movement to a different printing position, said means serving also as an actuator for moving the head.

7 The combination with a type-bar, and a type-head movably supported thereby, of a combined shifting and locking device carried by the type-bar to positively lock the head in one printing position and to shift the head from one printing position to another.

8. The combination with a type-bar, and a type head movably supported thereby, of a combined shifting and locking device carried by the type-bar to positively lock the head in one printing position, and to shift the head to difierent printing positions.

9. The combination with a type-bar, of a movable type-head, and a locking device carried by the type-bar for positively locking the type-head in its normal position, said locking device constituting means for shifting the type-head to another position.

10. The combination with a type-bar, and

the type-head movably supportedthereon and provided with a projectio'm of a locking device engaging 'With said projectionto' positively lock' the head in its normal position, said locking device constituting means for shifting the head to'another position.

' 11. The combination with a type bar, and the type-head pivoted thereto and having'a projecting portion, of a device carried by the type-bar separate from the type-head and cooperating With the projecting portion to effect the turning of the head, said device serving also as a positive lock for the head in one of its positions. v

12. The combination with a type-bar, and a type-head pivoted thereto and having a projecting portion, of a device carried by the typebar separate from the type-head and cooperating with the projecting portion to effect the turning of the head, said device serving also as a positive lock for the type-head in its normal position.

13. The combination With a type-bar, and a type-head pivoted thereto and having a plurality of type, of a device on thetype-bar acting to move the head and serving also as a lock for the head, a tripper engaging 'the device to move the same during the initial movement of the type-bar, and a bufi'er for restoring said device on the return of the type-bar from the printing stroke.

1 In a type-Writing machine, the combination With the type-bar, of a movable type-head carried by the type-bar and having a cam portion, and a device also carried by the type-bar cooperating with said cam portion of the typehead to effect the turning thereof upon its axis.

15. In a type-writing machine, the combination With the type-bar, of a movable ty pe -head having a cam portion, a combined shifting and locking device carried by the type-bar and having a shouldered element engaging with the cam portion of the head, and means independent of the type-bar for actuating the said device.

16. In atype-Writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, of ashiftable type-head pivoted to the bar and having a cam portion, a trigger pivotally supported by the type-bar and having a shifter element engaging with the cam portion of the type-head to effect a turning of the latter upon its axis, said triggei' being further provided With a laterallyoffset cam-tail and a resetting-arm, and separate trips arranged Wholly outside of the path of the type-bar and cooperating respectively with said cam-tail'and resetting-arm of the trigger.

17. In a type writingmachine, the combination With the type-bar, and the movable typehead mounted thereon and adapted to be shifted to either of tWo positions, of a single" device mounted on the type-bar, independent of the type-head, and adapted to engage the same to shift the type-head to either of its operative positions, and lock the same in one position.

18. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, and the movable typehead mounted thereon and adapted to be shifted to either of two positions, of a'single device mounted on the type-bar and serving as a combined shifting 'and locking device for the head.

19. The combination With a type-bar, and a movable type-head, of means for locking the head against movement in any direction, said means being carried by the type-bar at the outer end thereof and serving also as an actuator for the head to move the same to another position.

20. The combination With a type-bar, and a'movable type-head, of means for locking the head against movement in either direction in one position thereof, said means being carried by the type-bar and serving also as an actuator for the head to move the same to another position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

JOHN A. SMITH.

Witnesses:

A. R. WARNER, J. A. ZIEGLER. 

